Solar energy system performance evaluation update: Cushing Home, Murray, Utah, October 1982-May 1983

Technical Report · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5228930

Kendall, P W

The Cushing Home site utilizes a 457-square-foot monolithic single-panel drainback collector array consisting of an Ethylene Poly-Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber collector absorber mat integrally mounted on the south-facing roof of the home, single-glazed with fiberglass. The array is connected to a site-built storage system. Energy distribution is accomplished via stored liquid pumped through EPDM mats embedded in the basement and first floor concrete slabs. Auxiliary energy is provided through an in-line 12-kW electric heater. Energy is distributed to the 2450-square-foot living space via radiant energy transfer from the floor slabs. A 450-gallon vinyl-lined storage tank is located in the basement. The home itself is well insulated with six inches of wall insulation, and double-glazed windows with interior storm windows on the first floor. There was a solar contribution of 41% to a system load of 42.5 million Btu over the eight-month monitoring period. Collector Coefficient of Performance (COP) was 31, an excellent return on purchased power for the collector pump. Overall system COP was 7.4, based on total solar applied to the loads, quite a bit less than the previous year. Consistent DHW preheating capability provided 32% of the hot water load of 4.93 million Btu.

• Research Organization: Vitro Corp., Silver Spring, MD (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC01-79CS30027
• OSTI ID: 5228930
• Report Number(s): SOLAR/1114-83/14; ON: DE84005857
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
BUILDINGS
COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE
CONTAINERS
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
HEAT STORAGE
HEATING
HEATING SYSTEMS
HOUSES
PERFORMANCE
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR FRACTION
SOLAR HEATING
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
SOLAR SPACE HEATING
SPACE HEATING
STORAGE
TANKS
THERMAL INSULATION